A damning letter into the maternity unit at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) has criticised "demotivated" staff, a "disregard for obstetric guidelines" and "poor attendance at mandatory training sessions" by medical staff.

The letter from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), which was leaked to DevonLive.com, also states that 'urgent action' is needed after 'several clinical incidents' were reported at the unit.

A former hospital employee forwarded the letter to DevonLive.com and also criticised Mr Thomson - who earns between £190,000 to £195,000 a year - for suspending members of staff at the maternity unit, which he says is contrary to the RCOG suggestion to employ "two to three new consultants...to inject new ideas and enthusiasm within the unit".

However, the hospital - which is rated as "requires improvement" by the CQC - say "no members of staff have been suspended as a result of the recommendations from RCOG" and that its "top priority has always been and will continue to be ensuring the safety of all of our services."

Although the letter - which is dated October 4, 2017 - praises the labour ward midwives for their "dedication and passion as well as pride for their unit", the rest of the detail is largely damning and urges action from the Trust to guarantee the unit's "long term safety".

The letter makes the following "urgent" suggestions for improvements at the unit:

Appointment of an external obstetric advisor, with the necessary leadership skills and the appropriate support from the Trust board, which would allow them to support the existing Clinical lead in implementing change.

Consultant expansion, with the appointment of two to three new consultants with obstetric interest, appointed all at the same time, to inject new ideas and enthusiasm within the unit.

Enforcement of mandatory training across the unit, and rotation of obstetric medical staff to the surrounding larger units for regular clinical sessions.

Radical changes to the consultant rota and removal of the obsolete seven day hot week.

The assessors also have unanimously recommended the participation of midwifery and obstetric staff in the investigation of ALL serious clinical incidents

They also have recommended that the forthcoming report is transparently disseminated to staff in its original version

Although no members of staff at the unit are currently suspended, DevonLive.com understands that there have been recent suspensions in connection with these incidents - though the hospital could not confirm how many people were previously suspended.

George Thomson, medical director at Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "We do everything within our power to ensure we maintain safe services. We monitor our services continuously and whenever we identify any concerns, we take immediate action to ensure we continue to deliver safe care.

"We asked the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to visit us to provide independent support as part of a review of recent incidents.

"Following their visit, the RCOG made some recommendations, including changes to the consultant rota, which we followed immediately.

“We cannot go into individual details of cases or staff members, but the action we have taken in response to the RCOG’s recommendations is appropriate and proportionate.

"I can confirm that no members of staff have been suspended as a result of the recommendations from RCOG.

“We understand the anxiety this might cause. However, I would like to reassure people that this has been a rigorous process, where we have actively identified concerns, acted on them and learned from them. Our top priority has always been and will continue to be ensuring the safety of all of our services.”